Task 1 Verbal-Linguistic- Venn Diagram: Historical and Modern Robots
Task 2 Musical-Rhythmic- Music in robot films
When watching a film, music is an important element that is used to engage the audience and create the atmosphere of the film. In movies that have been made about robots, composers of the soundtracks utilise the different types of music to create a specific atmosphere in the films.
I have noticed that in many films about robots, the music in the soundtrack have been used to create a mysterious and ominous atmosphere in the scenes, one example is the movie iRobot. In the soundtrack of iRobot, I have noticed that string instruments are often used in the tracks. The sound of long, sustained, high pitched notes from the strings in the orchestra delivers a sense of mystery and builds up suspense causing the audience to wait for something to happen.
I think that the reason for this mysterious atmosphere in the movie is because robots are still very new things to humans and we are still discovering and developing the unknown amount of potential that robots can bring to human beings. Films such as iRobot helps to us to visualise the very possible future that robotic technology may bring to the human race.
Furthermore, in the soundtracks for the Terminator films, which are more action-based, the composer for the soundtrack has used the strong, loud and solid sounds of drums in the music. This sort of sound complements the visual aspect of the powerful and physically large robots that are seen in this film. Also, the bold sounds in the soundtrack emphasizes the enormous amount of power that the robots in this movie possess, which makes the audience feel overpowered and small compared to the robots in the film.
Task 3 Naturalist- Environmental concerns from the materials used in robots
Waste that comes from electronic devices such as robots are known as e-waste and it is a growing problem because of the quick-paced technology in today’s world. If the materials are continually used, they will have a permanent impact on the environment.
Silicon is one of the many materials that are used in the manufacturing of robots. It contributes to the making of components such as glass and computer chips. A major environmental impact concerning silicon is the fact that carbon monoxide is one of the by-products of the silicon mining process. The production of carbon monoxide can contribute to the greenhouse gases and air pollution in the atmosphere. Also, for the people working in the quarries, they at risk of contracting a lung disease called silicosis, which is caused by prolonged exposure to silica dust.
The circuit boards are obvious components in which a robot is made of. Circuit boards, which are made from layered plastic and copper inlays, are in fact hazardous. It is possible for materials in circuit boards to be recycled and re-used, however in most cases this applies to the materials such as gold, silver and palladium. For the plastic components in circuit boards, it is difficult for these parts to be recycled as the particles become too small during the refining process.
Other materials that are used in manufacturing robots and other electronic material include valuable metals such as gold and platinum, which are non-renewable materials. Fortunately, it is possible that they may be extracted and can be used again as ‘secondary’ raw material. However, heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic which also are commonly used in the production of electronics, when they are disposed; it is possible that they may leak from landfill tips and into the water table which makes it a serious concern.
Task 1 Verbal-Linguistic- Venn Diagram: Historical and Modern Robots
Task 2 Musical-Rhythmic- Music in robot films
When watching a film, music is an important element that is used to engage the audience and create the atmosphere of the film. In movies that have been made about robots, composers of the soundtracks utilise the different types of music to create a specific atmosphere in the films.I have noticed that in many films about robots, the music in the soundtrack have been used to create a mysterious and ominous atmosphere in the scenes, one example is the movie iRobot. In the soundtrack of iRobot, I have noticed that string instruments are often used in the tracks. The sound of long, sustained, high pitched notes from the strings in the orchestra delivers a sense of mystery and builds up suspense causing the audience to wait for something to happen.
I think that the reason for this mysterious atmosphere in the movie is because robots are still very new things to humans and we are still discovering and developing the unknown amount of potential that robots can bring to human beings. Films such as iRobot helps to us to visualise the very possible future that robotic technology may bring to the human race.
Furthermore, in the soundtracks for the Terminator films, which are more action-based, the composer for the soundtrack has used the strong, loud and solid sounds of drums in the music. This sort of sound complements the visual aspect of the powerful and physically large robots that are seen in this film. Also, the bold sounds in the soundtrack emphasizes the enormous amount of power that the robots in this movie possess, which makes the audience feel overpowered and small compared to the robots in the film.
Task 3 Naturalist- Environmental concerns from the materials used in robots
Waste that comes from electronic devices such as robots are known as e-waste and it is a growing problem because of the quick-paced technology in today’s world. If the materials are continually used, they will have a permanent impact on the environment.
Silicon is one of the many materials that are used in the manufacturing of robots. It contributes to the making of components such as glass and computer chips. A major environmental impact concerning silicon is the fact that carbon monoxide is one of the by-products of the silicon mining process. The production of carbon monoxide can contribute to the greenhouse gases and air pollution in the atmosphere. Also, for the people working in the quarries, they at risk of contracting a lung disease called silicosis, which is caused by prolonged exposure to silica dust.
The circuit boards are obvious components in which a robot is made of. Circuit boards, which are made from layered plastic and copper inlays, are in fact hazardous. It is possible for materials in circuit boards to be recycled and re-used, however in most cases this applies to the materials such as gold, silver and palladium. For the plastic components in circuit boards, it is difficult for these parts to be recycled as the particles become too small during the refining process.
Other materials that are used in manufacturing robots and other electronic material include valuable metals such as gold and platinum, which are non-renewable materials. Fortunately, it is possible that they may be extracted and can be used again as ‘secondary’ raw material. However, heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic which also are commonly used in the production of electronics, when they are disposed; it is possible that they may leak from landfill tips and into the water table which makes it a serious concern.